Water shutoff planned for area of La Salle

A few blocks in La Salle will be without water service Thursday morning.

Workers will be changing valves in a hydrant in the 600 Block of Todd Street.  Water will be shutoff starting at 8:30am.  The affected area includes Union Street from 6^th to 7th, 7^th Street from Union to Todd, and on Todd from 5^th to 7^th.

If the weather is bad tomorrow, they’ll do it Friday instead.

Bad weather delays moving of Ottawa sculpture

Figuring a 40-foot tall steel sculpture may attract lightning, the relocation of an Ottawa sculpture was postponed until Thursday morning.   Crews had planned to move it Wednesday morning.

The red sculpture in Allen Park will be loaded onto a flatbead trailer and lowered onto its new base near the park’s yellow sculpture.  In order to move the sculpture, several lampposts will have to be temporarily removed in the park.

The metal sculptures were made by Mary Fanning in 1982.  They were initially a pair, but were separated when the land began to shift under Route 71.

Marijuana Bust Near La Salle

A woman from the east coast is accused of hauling pot through the Illinois Valley.

Tracey Howard of Maryland was pulled over by state police for speeding on I-80 near La Salle.  The trooper says while talking to Howard, he noticed a marijuana smell coming from her car.  After the La Salle K-9 was called, police say they found 20 pounds of marijuana in the car.

Howard was taken to the county jail.

La Salle man indicted on sexual assault charges

More charges for a man accused of exposing himself to a group of children in La Salle.  A grand jury Tuesday indicted James Madonna of La Salle on several counts of predatory criminal sexual assault and criminal sexual assault.

Madonna has been jailed since his arrest in March.   Several junior high-aged children contacted the police after they claimed Madonna came to his front window, exposed himself and called out to them.

He was indicted in March on three counts of indecent exploitation of a child.  His bond remains at $250,000.

Children can learn theater basics during a summer workshop

Children destined to be in the spotlight can learn the basics of acting and improve during a summer workshop in La Salle.  A children’s summer workshop is being offered at Stage 212 for children in grades second through ninth.

Natalie Smigel is with Stage 212.  She says children who have attended the workshop often receive rolls in Stage 212 productions but it’s not a promise.

Teaching the workshop will be Phil Grant and teenage helpers.  The workshop runs the week of June 20.  It cost $60 to enroll.  Children should be signed up no later than June 15.

You can learn more about the workshop by listening to an interview available at the AM 1220 WLPO dot news page.